Packaging station and method of operating a packaging station

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a product metering device, first and second container preparation systems, and a controller. The product metering device is configured to dispense a product. The first and second container preparation systems are configured to dispense first and second containers, respectively, for receiving the product from the product metering device. The first and second container preparation systems include first and second severed container material transporting devices, respectively, operable to transport the first and second containers, respectively, from the first and second container preparation systems, respectively, to the product metering device. The controller simultaneously controls (i) one of the first container preparation system and the second container preparation system to prepare one of the first container and the second container, and (ii) the product metering device to dispense the product into the other of the first container and the second container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) toU.S. Provisional Application 62/443,301, filed on Jan. 6, 2017. Thedisclosure of this prior application is considered part of thedisclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a packaging station and a method foroperating the same.

BACKGROUND

Packaging stations are known. While existing packaging stations performadequately for their intended purpose, improvements to packagingstations are continuously being sought in order to advance the arts.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a packaging station. The packagingstation includes a product metering device, a first containerpreparation system and a second container preparation system. The firstcontainer preparation system is interfacingly-arranged with the productmetering device. The second container preparation system isinterfacingly-arranged with the product metering device. Each of thefirst container preparation system and the second container preparationsystem includes a container material severing device and a severedcontainer material transporting device.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. For example, the container materialsevering device cooperates with the severed container materialtransporting device to define a container expander.

In some implementations, the container material severing device includesa body and a material severing portion. The body defines a containermaterial-receiving passage accessible by an upstream opening and adownstream opening. The material portion extends from the body and isconfigured for severing container material extending through thedownstream opening.

In some examples, the severed container material transporting deviceincludes at least one pair of container material engaging portions. Theat least one pair of container material engaging portions is defined bya first container material engaging portion and a second containermaterial engaging portion.

In some implementations, the container expander includes an inflatorportion. The inflator portion extends away from the body of thecontainer material severing device.

In some implementations, each of the first container preparation systemand the second container preparation system includes a plurality ofcontainer material support members. The plurality of container materialsupport members includes a first support member, a second support memberand a third support member. One of the first support member, the secondsupport member and the third support member supports a roll of a lengthof container material defining a plurality of unprepared containers thatare un-severed and not expanded and not inflated.

In some examples, the packaging station includes a controller and meansfor sensing. Each of the first container preparation system and thesecond container preparation system includes the means for sensing. Themeans for sensing senses one or more characteristics of the length ofcontainer material defining a plurality of unprepared containers as thelength of container material is drawn away from the roll to cause thecontroller to send an actuation signal to one or more of the firstcontainer preparation system and the second container preparation systemfor preparing a container from the plurality of unprepared containers ofthe length of container material drawn from the roll. The controller isalso configured to send a signal to the product metering device formetering an amount of product into the container prepared by one of thefirst container preparation system and the second container preparationsystem.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method. The method includes:actuating one of a first container preparation system and a secondcontainer preparation system for defining a first severed and expandedcontainer; metering a first amount of product from a product meteringdevice into the first severed and expanded container for defining afirst severed, expanded and filled container; transporting the firstsevered, expanded and filled container away from the product meteringdevice; actuating the other of the first container preparation systemand the second container preparation system for defining a secondsevered and expanded container; and metering a second amount of productfrom the product metering device into the second severed and expandedcontainer for defining a second severed, expanded and filled container.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. For example, the step of actuating one ofthe first container preparation system and the second containerpreparation system for defining the first severed and expanded containerincludes: drawing a first length of container material from a firstroll. The actuating the other of the first container preparation systemand the second container preparation system for defining the secondsevered and expanded container step includes: drawing a second length ofcontainer material from a second roll.

In some implementations, the step of actuating one of the firstcontainer preparation system and the second container preparation systemfor defining the first severed and expanded container further includes:severing the first length of container material for separating a portionof the first length of container material from the first roll fordefining a first severed and non-expanded container. The step ofactuating the other of the first container preparation system and thesecond container preparation system for defining the second severed andexpanded container includes: severing the second length of containermaterial for separating a portion of the second length of containermaterial from the second roll for defining a second severed andnon-expanded container.

In some examples, the first container preparation system includes afirst material severing portion for severing the first length ofcontainer material for separating a portion of the first length ofcontainer material from the first roll. The second container preparationsystem includes a second material severing portion for severing thesecond length of container material for separating a portion of thesecond length of container material from the second roll.

In some implementations, the step of actuating one of the firstcontainer preparation system and the second container preparation systemfor defining the first severed and expanded container further includes:inflating the first severed and non-expanded container for defining thefirst severed and expanded container. The step of actuating the other ofthe first container preparation system and the second containerpreparation system for defining the second severed and expandedcontainer includes: inflating the second severed and non-expandedcontainer for defining the second severed and expanded container.

In some examples, the first container preparation system includes afirst inflator portion for inflating the first severed and non-expandedcontainer. The second container preparation system includes a secondinflator portion for inflating the second severed and non-expandedcontainer.

In some implementations, the first container preparation system includesat least one first pair of container material engaging portions fortransporting the first severed and non-expanded container from the firstmaterial severing portion to the first inflator portion. The secondcontainer preparation system includes at least one second pair ofcontainer material engaging portions for transporting the second severedand non-expanded container from the second material severing portion tothe second inflator portion.

In some examples, the first container preparation system includes atleast one first pair of container material engaging portions fortransporting the first severed, expanded and filled container away fromthe product metering device. The second container preparation systemincludes at least one second pair of container material engagingportions. The method further includes transporting the second severed,expanded and filled container away from the product metering device.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otheraspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected configurations and not all possible implementations, and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1A-1O are side views illustrating operation of an exemplarypackaging system including a first container preparation system, asecond container preparation system, and a product metering device.

FIGS. 2A-2J are perspective views of an exemplary packaging systemincluding a schematic view of a first container preparation system and aproduct metering device along with a representative view of a secondcontainer preparation system.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described more fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scopeof the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specificdetails are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices,and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations ofthe present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art that specific details need not be employed, that exampleconfigurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that thespecific details and the example configurations should not be construedto limit the scope of the disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. Asused herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intendedto include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,”and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence offeatures, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The methodsteps, processes, and operations described herein are not to beconstrued as necessarily requiring their performance in the particularorder discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as anorder of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer,it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to theother element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attachedto,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be nointervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describevarious elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. Theseelements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not belimited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish oneelement, component, region, layer or section from another region, layeror section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical termsdo not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by thecontext. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or sectiondiscussed below could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section without departing from the teachings of the exampleconfigurations.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1O, an exemplary implementation of a packagingstation is shown generally at 10. The packaging station 10 includes afirst container preparation system 12 a that prepares at least one firstcontainer C1 (see, e.g., FIG. 1I), a second container preparation system12 b that prepares at least one second container C2 (see, e.g., FIG. 1A)and a product metering device 14 that meters an amount of a product P(see, e.g., FIGS. 1B-1H and FIGS. 1J-1O) into each of the at least onefirst container C1 and the at least one second container C2. Each of thefirst container preparation system 12 a, the second containerpreparation system 12 b and the product metering device 14 may besupported by a body (not shown) extending from an underlying groundsurface G (i.e., the first container preparation system 12 a, the secondcontainer preparation system 12 b and the product metering device 14 maybe said to be interfaceably-connected to one another by a common groundsurface G). Although an exemplary implementation of a first containerpreparation system 12 a and a product metering device 14 are shown inFIGS. 2A-2J (with a “box” representing the second container preparationsystem 12 b), the views represented in FIGS. 2A-2J are not meant to beconstrued as a view of an alternative packaging system including onecontainer preparation system but as a partial schematic view of anexemplary implementation of a packaging station 10 corresponding toFIGS. 1A-1O (i.e., although the second container preparation system 12 bis not schematically shown at FIGS. 2A-2J but represented as a “box,”the second container preparation system 12 b may be substantially thesame as and operate in a substantially similar manner as the firstcontainer preparation system 12 a at FIGS. 2A-2J).

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1O, the first container preparation system 12 aand the second container preparation system 12 b are arranged relativeto the product metering device 14 such that the first containerpreparation system 12 a and the second container preparation system 12 bare permitted to be alternatingly movably-interfaced with the productmetering device 14 such that: (1) while the first container preparationsystem 12 a is in the process of preparing a first container C1, orwhile the second container preparation system 12 b is in the process ofpreparing a second container C2, the other of: (2) a first container C1that was previously prepared by the first container preparation system12 a, or a second container C2 that was previously prepared by thesecond container preparation system 12 b, is being filled with product Pby the product metering device 14. Because the first containerpreparation system 12 a and the second container preparation system 12 bare alternatingly movably-interfaced with the product metering device 14as described above, the packaging station 10 realizes increasedefficiencies as a prepared first container C1 (see, e.g., FIG. 1H), or aprepared second container C2, is in a “ready position” after a filledfirst container C1, or a filled second container C2 (see, e.g., FIG.1H), is shuttled away (see, e.g., FIGS. 1H-1I) from the product meteringdevice 14.

Referring to FIG. 1A, each of the first container preparation system 12a and the second container preparation system 12 b is shown including aplurality of container material support members 16 a, 16 b. Each of theplurality of container material support members 16 a, 16 b may besupported by a body (not shown) extending from the underlying groundsurface G. Each of the plurality of container material support members16 a, 16 b may include a first support member 16 a ₁, 16 b ₁, a secondsupport member 16 a ₂, 16 b ₂ and a third support member 16 a ₃, 16 b ₃.

The first support member 16 a ₁ of the first container preparationsystem 12 a may include a roller member, bar or the like that supports aroll R1 of a length of container material M1 defining a plurality ofunprepared first containers C1 that are joined to one another by aplurality of segmenting portions (see, e.g., M1 _(S) of FIGS. 2A-2J). Inan example, as referenced in FIG. 1I, each unprepared first container C1of the plurality of unprepared first containers C1 defining the lengthof container material M1 that is reeled from the roll R1 is defined by alength L_(C1) that extends between a downstream end C1 _(D) of the firstcontainer C1 and an upstream end C1 _(U) of the first container C1. Thedownstream end C1 _(D) of the first container C1 is sealed and theupstream end C1 _(U) of the first container C1 is not sealed; becausethe upstream end C1 _(U) of the first container C1 is not sealed, theupstream end C1 _(U) of the first container C1 thereby defines anupstream passage C1 _(P) (e.g., an opening) of the first container C1for permitting access to a product-receiving cavity C1 _(C) formed by aninner sidewall surface C1 _(I) of the first container C1 and the sealeddownstream end C1 _(D) of the first container C1. In this regard, insome implementations, the first container C1 defines a bag formed by thematerial M1.

The first support member 16 b ₁ of the second container preparationsystem 12 b may include a roller member, bar or the like that supports aroll R2 of a length of container material M2 defining a plurality ofunprepared second containers C2 that are joined to one another by aplurality of segmenting portions (see, e.g., M1 _(S) of FIGS. 2A-2J). Asseen, for example, in FIG. 1A, each unprepared second container C2 ofthe plurality of unprepared second containers C2 defining the length ofcontainer material M2 that is reeled from the roll R2 is defined by alength L_(C2) that extends between a downstream end C2 _(D) of thesecond container C2 and an upstream end C2 _(U) of the second containerC2. The downstream end C2 _(D) of the second container C2 is sealed andthe upstream end C2 _(U) of the second container C2 is not sealed;because the upstream end C2 _(U) of the second container C2 is notsealed, the upstream end C2 _(U) of the second container C2 therebydefines an upstream passage C2 _(P) (e.g., an opening) of the secondcontainer C2 for permitting access to a product-receiving cavity C2 _(C)formed by an inner sidewall surface C2 _(I) of the second container C2and the sealed downstream end C2 _(D) of the second container C2. Inthis regard, in some implementations, the second container C2 defines abag formed by the material M2.

Although the length of container material M1, M2 defining the pluralityof unprepared containers C1, C2 that are joined to one another by aplurality of segmenting portions M1 _(S), M2 _(S) is described above asbeing provided in the form of a roll R1, R2 that is arranged upon aroller member 16 a ₁, 16 b ₁, the length of container material M1, M2 isnot limited to being provided in such a manner. For example, the lengthof container material M1, M2 may be may be folded such that, forexample, each segmenting portion (see, e.g., M1 _(S1)-M1 _(Sn), M2_(S1)-M2 _(Sn)) of the plurality of segmenting portions M1 _(S), M2 _(S)is arranged in a stacked configuration; such an arrangement may bereferred to as ‘festoon-folding’ or ‘fan-folding’ the length ofcontainer material M1, M2. In an example, when the length of containermaterial M1, M2 is arranged in a stacked configuration as describedabove, the length of container material M1, M2 may not be arranged uponthe roller member 16 a ₁, 16 b ₁, but, rather, within a box, containeror the like that is supported by an underlying ground surface G. If thelength of container material M1, M2 were to be provided from a box,container, or the like, the packaging station 10 will operate in asimilar manner when the length of container material M1, M2 is arrangedupon a roller member 16 a ₁, 16 b ₁.

The second support member 16 a ₂, 16 b ₂ of each of the first containerpreparation system 12 a and the second container preparation system 12 bmay be a pulley, roller member or bar that supports a portion of thelength of container material M1, M2 that is drawn away from the roll R1,R2, respectively. The third support member 16 a ₃, 16 b ₃ may be apulley, roller member or bar that supports a portion of the length ofcontainer material M1, M2 that is drawn away from the roll R1, R2,respectively. The second support member 16 a ₂, 16 b ₂ is arrangeddownstream of the first support member 16 a ₁, 16 b ₁, and the thirdsupport member 16 a ₃, 16 b ₃ is arranged downstream of the secondsupport member 16 a ₂, 16 b ₂.

With continued reference to FIG. 1A, each of the first containerpreparation system 12 a and the second container preparation system 12 bis shown including a first container material manipulator 18 a, 18 b.The first container material manipulator 18 a, 18 b may be alternativelyreferred to as a container material severing device that severs a firstcontainer C1 or a second container C2 from the length of containermaterial M1, M2 that is drawn away from the roll R1, R2, respectively.

With continued reference to FIG. 1A, each of the first containerpreparation system 12 a and the second container preparation system 12 bis shown including a second container material manipulator 20 a, 20 b.The second container material manipulator 20 a, 20 b may bealternatively referred to as a severed container material transportingdevice that transports a first container C1, a second container C2 thatwas severed from the length of container material M1, M2 by thecontainer material severing device 18 a, 18 b, respectively.

Furthermore, as seen, for example, in FIGS. 1D-1G and 1L-1O, each of thefirst container preparation system 12 a and the second containerpreparation system 12 b is shown including a third container materialmanipulator 22 a, 22 b. The third container material manipulator 22 a,22 b may be alternatively referred to as a container expander thatexpands (e.g., inflates) the first container C1, or the second containerC2, respectively, that was severed from the length of container materialM1, M2, respectively. As seen in FIGS. 1D-1G and 1L-1O, the containermaterial severing device 18 a, 18 b is interfaced with the severedcontainer material transporting device 20 a, 20 b for collectivelydefining the container 22 a, 22 b in order to expand the first containerC1 or the second container C2, respectively.

Referring back to FIG. 1A each of the first container preparation system12 a and the second container preparation system 12 b may optionallyinclude a sensor 24 a, 24 b. The sensor 24 a, 24 b may sense one or morefeatures or characteristics of the length of container material M1, M2as such length of container material M1, M2 is drawn away from the rollR1, R2, respectively. With reference to FIG. 2A, in an example, eachsegmenting portion (see, e.g., M1 _(S1)-M1 _(Sn)) of the plurality ofsegmenting portions (see, e.g., M1 _(S)) demarcates an unpreparedupstream container C1, C2 from an unprepared downstream container C1,C2, respectively. In an example, the sensor 24 a, 24 b may be arrangedrelative the length of container material M1, M2 in order to opticallydetect a segmenting portion (see, e.g., M1 _(S1), M1 _(S2), M1 _(S3), M1_(S4), M1 _(S5) . . . M1 _(Sn)) of the plurality of segmenting portionM1 _(S) as the length of container material M1, M2 is drawn away fromthe roll R1, R2, respectively. Upon detecting the segmenting portion(e.g., M1 _(S1), M1 _(S2), M1 _(S3), M1 _(S4), M1 _(S5) . . . M1 _(Sn))of the plurality of segmenting portion M1 _(S), the sensor 24 a, 24 bmay send a signal to a controller 25 that may send an actuation signal(see, e.g., S_(12a)/S_(12b) in FIGS. 1A-1O) to an actuator (not shown)associated with one or more of the container material severing device 18a, 18 b, the severed container material transporting device 20 a, 20 band the container expander 22 a, 22 b for actuating one or morecomponents of the container material severing device 18 a, 18 b, thesevered container material transporting device 20 a, 20 b and thecontainer expander 22 a, 22 b. Furthermore, the sensor 24 a, 24 b mayalso send a signal to the controller 25 that may send an actuationsignal (see, e.g., S₁₄ in FIGS. 1A-1O) to an actuator (not shown)associated with the product metering device 14 for causing the productmetering device 14 to meter an amount of product P into the firstcontainer C1 or the second container C2. The controller 25 may becommunicatively-coupled to any component of the packaging system 10 inany desirable manner (e.g., a hardwired connection, a wirelessconnection, or a combination of a hardwired and wireless connection).

Referring to FIG. 1A, the second container preparation system 12 b isshown arranging a prepared second container C2 under the productmetering device 14 in response to a signal (see, e.g., S_(12b)) sentfrom the controller 25 to the second container preparation system 12 b.As seen in FIG. 1B, the product metering device 14 is actuated (e.g., byway of an actuation signal S₁₄ sent from the controller 25 to theproduct metering device 14) for filling the prepared second container C2with a metered amount of a product P (e.g., cereal, potato chips, crispsor the like).

Referring to FIGS. 1B-1H, before and/or during actuation of the productmetering device 14, one or more portions (see, e.g., the containermaterial severing device 18 a, the severed container materialtransporting device 20 a, and the container expander 22 a) of the firstcontainer preparation system 12 a is/are actuated by way of, forexample, an actuation signal (see, e.g., S_(12a)) sent from thecontroller 25 to the first container preparation system 12 a forpreparing a first container C1. As seen in FIG. 1I, once the preparedsecond container C2 including a metered amount of product P depositedtherein is directed away from the product metering device 14, the firstcontainer preparation system 12 a arranges a prepared first container C1under the product metering device 14. As described below, andillustrated at FIGS. 1A-1I and 2A-2I, a methodology for preparing thefirst container C1 and subsequently arranging the prepared firstcontainer C1 under the product metering device 14 is described accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 2A, the length of container material M1 isdrawn away from the roll R1 such that a distal end M1 _(D) of the lengthof container material M1 is arranged downstream of the plurality ofcontainer material support members 16 a. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 2A, thedistal end M1 _(D) of the length of container material M1 is arrangeddownstream of the third support member 16 a ₃ of the plurality ofcontainer material support members 16 a. Furthermore, the distal end M1_(D) of the length of container material M1 may define a downstream endC1 _(D) of a leading first container C1 of a plurality of firstcontainers C1 provided by the length of container material M1 that isdrawn away from the roll R1.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the container material severing device 18 aincludes a body 26 a (see also FIG. 2A) defining a passage 28 aextending there-through. The passage 28 a is accessible by an upstreamopening 30 a and a downstream opening 32 a (see also FIG. 2A). As seenin FIGS. 1A and 2A, the distal end M1 _(D) of the length of containermaterial M1 is arranged upstream of the container material severingdevice 18 a such that the distal end M1 _(D) of the length of containermaterial M1 is arranged opposite the upstream opening 30 a. A device(not shown) for drawing the length of container material M1 from theroll R1 may be arranged within the passage 28 a for drawing the lengthof container material M1 from the roll R1.

Referring to FIGS. 1B and 2B, the length of container material M1 isfurther spatially manipulated relative the first container preparationsystem 12 a such that the length of container material M1 is shownarranged through the container material severing device 18 a. In anexample, the length of container material M1 is shown arranged through:(1) the upstream opening 30 a, (2) the passage 28 a and (3) thedownstream opening 32 a such that the distal end M1 _(D) of the lengthof container material M1 is arranged downstream of the containermaterial severing device 18 a.

Referring to FIGS. 1C and 2C, the length of container material M1 ismanipulated by the first container preparation system 12 a uponactuation of the container material severing device 18 a and the severedcontainer material transporting device 20 a. Actuation of the containermaterial severing device 18 a and the severed container materialtransporting device 20 a may occur in response to the sensor 24 aoptically detecting a trailing segmenting portion (see, e.g., M1 _(S5)in FIG. 2B) of the plurality of segmenting portion M1 _(S), and, as aresult of detecting the trailing segmenting portion (see, e.g., M1 _(S5)in FIG. 2B) of the plurality of segmenting portion M1 _(S), the sensor24 a may send a signal to the controller 25 such that the controller 25may then send an actuation signal (see, e.g., S_(12a)) to the containermaterial severing device 18 a and the severed container materialtransporting device 20 a for engaging and severing the leading firstcontainer C1 of the plurality of first containers C1 from the length ofcontainer material M1 as described below.

As seen in FIGS. 1C and 2C, the severed container material transportingdevice 20 a includes at least one pair of container material engagingportions 34 a, including a first container material engaging portion 34a ₁ and a second container material engaging portion 34 a ₂. Each of thefirst container material engaging portion 34 a ₁ and the secondcontainer material engaging portion 34 a ₂ may include at least onesuction device (e.g., at least one suction cup) that selectively engagesand/or retains an outer sidewall surface C1 _(O) of the leading firstcontainer C1 thereto. The first container material engaging portion 34 a₁ and the second container material engaging portion 34 a ₂ may bearranged in an opposing relationship such that each of the firstcontainer material engaging portion 34 a ₁ and the second containermaterial engaging portion 34 a ₂ may engage opposite portions of theouter sidewall surfaces C1 _(O) of the leading first container C1proximate the upstream end C1 _(U) of the leading first container C1. Inan example, actuation of the container material severing device 18 a andthe severed container material transporting device 20 a may result in(1) the first container material engaging portion 34 a ₁ and the secondcontainer material engaging portion 34 a ₂ of the severed containermaterial transporting device 20 a firstly engaging opposite outersidewall surfaces C1 _(O) of the leading first container C1 forspatially fixing in place the leading first container C1 relative thecontainer material severing device 18 a and (2) actuating a materialsevering portion 36 a (e.g., a blade, knife, laser or the like)extending away from the body 26 a of the container material severingdevice 18 a such that the material severing portion 36 a severs theleading first container C1 (e.g., along the leading segmenting portionM1 _(S1)) from the length of container material M1.

Referring to FIGS. 1D and 2D, the severed container materialtransporting device 20 a may be further actuated as follows. In anexample, (1) the at least one pair of first container material engagingportions 34 a of the severed container material transporting device 20 atransports the severed leading first container C1 away from the materialsevering portion 36 a and toward an inflator portion 38 a extending awayfrom the body 26 a of the container material severing device 18 a and(2) the first container material engaging portion 34 a ₁ and the secondcontainer material engaging portion 34 a ₂ of the severed containermaterial transporting device 20 a may be spatially aned in opposingdirections to arrange the severed leading first container C1 in apartially open orientation such that the upstream passage C1 _(P) of thesevered leading first container C1 is arranged in an opposingrelationship with respect to the inflator portion 38 a. Thereafter, asseen in FIGS. 1E and 2E, the container material severing device 18 a maybe further actuated for causing the inflator portion 38 a to be extendedaway from the body 26 a of the container material severing device 18 asuch that the inflator portion 38 a is passed through the upstreampassage C1 _(P) of the severed leading first container C1 and into theproduct-receiving cavity C1 _(C) of the severed leading first containerC1.

Referring to FIGS. 1F and 2F, the container expander 22 a may beactuated in order to expel pressurized fluid A (e.g., air) from theinflator portion 38 a for receipt within the product-receiving cavity C1_(C) of the severed leading first container C1 in order to causeopposing inner surfaces C1 _(I) of the severed leading first containerC1 to be moved away from one another. Thereafter, as seen in FIGS. 1Gand 2G, the inflator portion 38 a may continue to expel the pressurizedfluid A from the inflator portion 38 a into the product-receiving cavityC1 _(C) of the severed leading first container C1 in order substantiallyexpand the product-receiving cavity C1 _(C) of the severed leading firstcontainer C1 to a desired volume (e.g., a maximum volume) in order tosubsequently receive a desired amount of the product P from the productmetering device 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1H and 2H, once the product-receiving cavity C1 _(C)of the severed leading first container C1 has been expanded to thedesired volume, the container material severing device 18 a may befurther actuated for causing the inflator portion 38 a to be retractedfrom the product-receiving cavity C1 _(C) of the severed leading firstcontainer C1 and back toward the body 26 a of the container materialsevering device 18 a such that the inflator portion 38 a is no longerarranged through the upstream passage C1 _(P) of the severed leadingfirst container C1 and within the product-receiving cavity C1 _(C) ofthe severed leading first container C1. As also seen in FIG. 1H, thesecond container C2 that was immediately previously filled with theproduct P from the product metering device 14 is moved away from theproduct metering device 14 in order to provide a clearance forsubsequent arrangement of the severed leading first container C1 underthe product metering device 14.

As seen in FIGS. 1I and 2I, the severed container material transportingdevice 20 a may be further actuated for causing the at least one pair offirst container material engaging portions 34 a of the severed containermaterial transporting device 20 a to transport the severed and expandedleading first container C1 away from the material inflator portion 38 afor arrangement under the product metering device 14. Thereafter, as seein FIGS. 1J-1O and 2J, the product metering device 14 may be actuatedfor metering the product P through the upstream passage C1 _(P) of thesevered and expanded leading first container C1 and into theproduct-receiving cavity C1 _(C) of the severed and expanded leadingfirst container C1. The severed, expanded, and filled leading firstcontainer C1, including the amount of product P arranged therein, may besealed (by a sealing device, not shown) prior to or after being movedaway from the product metering device 14 in order to provide a clearancefor subsequent arrangement of a severed and expanded second container C2under the product metering device 14.

As described below at FIGS. 1I-1O, a methodology for preparing thesecond container C2 and subsequently arranging the prepared secondcontainer C2 under the product metering device 14 is described accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1I, the length of container material M2 is drawn awayfrom the roll R2 such that a distal end M2 _(D) of the length ofcontainer material M2 is arranged downstream of the plurality ofcontainer material support members 16 b. As seen in FIG. 1I, the distalend M2 _(D) of the length of container material M2 is arrangeddownstream of the third support member 16 b ₃ of the plurality ofcontainer material support members 16 b. Furthermore, the distal end M2_(D) of the length of container material M2 may define a downstream endC2 _(D) of a trailing second container C2 of a plurality of secondcontainers C2 provided by the length of container material M2 that isdrawn away from the roll R2 (in an implementation, the followingdescription refers to a “trailing” second container C2 due to a“leading” second container C2 being previously prepared and shown atFIGS. 1A-1H).

Referring to FIG. 1I, the container material severing device 18 bincludes a body 26 b defining a passage 28 b extending there-through.The passage 28 b is accessible by an upstream opening 30 b and adownstream opening 32 b. As seen in FIG. 1I, the distal end M2 _(D) ofthe length of container material M2 is arranged upstream of thecontainer material severing device 18 b such that the distal end M2 _(D)of the length of container material M2 is arranged opposite the upstreamopening 30 b. A device (not shown) for drawing the length of containermaterial M2 from the roll R2 may be arranged within the passage 28 b fordrawing the length of container material M2 from the roll R2.

Referring to FIG. 1J, the length of container material M2 is furtherspatially manipulated relative the second container preparation system12 b such that the length of container material M2 is shown arrangedthrough the container material severing device 18 b. In an example, thelength of container material M2 is shown arranged through: (1) theupstream opening 30 b, (2) the passage 28 b and (3) the downstreamopening 32 b such that the distal end M2 _(D) of the length of containermaterial M2 is arranged downstream of the container material severingdevice 18 b.

Referring to FIG. 1K, the length of container material M2 is manipulatedby the second container preparation system 12 b upon actuation of thecontainer material severing device 18 b and the severed containermaterial transporting device 20 b. Actuation of the container materialsevering device 18 b and the severed container material transportingdevice 20 b may occur in response to the sensor 24 b optically detectinga trailing segmenting portion (in a substantially similar manner, see,e.g., M1 _(S5) in FIG. 2B) of the plurality of segmenting portion (in asubstantially similar manner, see, e.g., M1 _(S) in FIG. 2B) and, as aresult of detecting the trailing segmenting portion of the plurality ofsegmenting portion, the sensor 24 b may send a signal to the controller25 such that the controller 25 may then send an actuation signal (see,e.g., S_(12b)) to the container material severing device 18 b and thesevered container material transporting device 20 b for engaging andsevering the trailing second container C2 of the plurality of secondcontainers C2 from the length of container material M2 as describedbelow.

As seen in FIG. 1K, the severed container material transporting device20 b includes at least one pair of container material engaging portions34 b, including a first container material engaging portion 34 b ₁ and asecond container material engaging portion 34 b ₂. Each of the firstcontainer material engaging portion 34 b ₁ and the second containermaterial engaging portion 34 b ₂ may include at least one suction device(e.g., at least one suction cup) that selectively engages and/or retainsan outer sidewall surface C2 _(O) of the trailing second container C2thereto. The first container material engaging portion 34 b ₁ and thesecond container material engaging portion 34 b ₂ may be arranged in anopposing relationship such that each of the first container materialengaging portion 34 b ₁ and the second container material engagingportion 34 b ₂ may engage opposite portions of the outer sidewallsurfaces C2 _(O) of the trailing second container C2 proximate theupstream end C2 _(U) of the trailing second container C2. In an example,actuation of the container material severing device 18 b and the severedcontainer material transporting device 20 b may result in (1) the firstcontainer material engaging portion 34 b ₁ and the second containermaterial engaging portion 34 b ₂ of the severed container materialtransporting device 20 b firstly engaging opposite outer sidewallsurfaces C2 o of the trailing second container C2 for spatially fixingin place the trailing second container C2 relative the containermaterial severing device 18 b and (2) actuating a material severingportion 36 b (e.g., a blade, knife, laser or the like) extending awayfrom the body 26 b of the container material severing device 18 b suchthat the material severing portion 36 b severs the trailing secondcontainer C2 from the length of container material M2.

Referring to FIG. 1L, the severed container material transporting device20 b may be further actuated as follows. In an example, (1) the at leastone pair of first container material engaging portions 34 b of thesevered container material transporting device 20 b transports thesevered trailing second container C2 away from the material severingportion 36 b and toward an inflator portion 38 b extending away from thebody 26 b of the container material severing device 18 b and (2) thefirst container material engaging portion 34 b ₁ and the secondcontainer material engaging portion 34 b ₂ of the severed containermaterial transporting device 20 b may be spatially manipulated inopposing directions to arrange the severed trailing second container C2in a partially open orientation such that the upstream passage C2 _(P)of the severed trailing second container C2 is arranged in an opposingrelationship with respect to the inflator portion 38 b. Thereafter, asseen in FIG. 1M, the container material severing device 18 b may befurther actuated for causing the inflator portion 38 b to be extendedaway from the body 26 b of the container material severing device 18 bsuch that the inflator portion 38 b is passed through the upstreampassage C2 _(P) of the severed trailing second container C2 and into theproduct-receiving cavity C2 _(C) of the severed trailing secondcontainer C2.

Referring to FIG. 1N, the container expander 22 b may be actuated inorder to expel pressurized fluid A (e.g., air) from the inflator portion38 b for receipt within the product-receiving cavity C2 _(C) of thesevered trailing second container C2 in order to cause opposing innersurfaces C2 _(I) of the severed trailing second container C2 to be movedaway from one another. Thereafter, the inflator portion 38 b maycontinue to expel the pressurized fluid A from the inflator portion 38 binto the product-receiving cavity C2 _(C) of the severed trailing secondcontainer C2 in order substantially expand the product-receiving cavityC2 _(C) of the severed trailing second container C2 to a desired volume(e.g., a maximum volume) in order to subsequently receive a desiredamount of the product P from the product metering device 14.

Referring to FIG. 1O, once the product-receiving cavity C2 _(C) of thesevered trailing second container C2 has been expanded to the desiredvolume, the container material severing device 18 b may be furtheractuated for causing the inflator portion 38 b to be retracted from theproduct-receiving cavity C2 _(C) of the severed trailing secondcontainer C2 and back toward the body 26 b of the container materialsevering device 18 b such that the inflator portion 38 b is no longerarranged through the upstream passage C2 _(P) of the severed trailingsecond container C2 and within the product-receiving cavity C2 _(C) ofthe severed trailing second container C2. As also seen in FIG. 1O, theleading first container C1 that was immediately previously filled withthe product P from the product metering device 14 is arranged formovement away from the product metering device 14 in order to provide aclearance for subsequent arrangement of the severed trailing secondcontainer C2 under the product metering device 14.

In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIG. 1A with respect to theleading second container C2, once the leading first container C1 ismoved away from the product metering device 14, the severed containermaterial transporting device 20 b may be further actuated for causingthe at least one pair of first container material engaging portions 34 bof the severed container material transporting device 20 b to transportthe severed and expanded trailing second container C2 away from thematerial inflator portion 38 b for arrangement under the productmetering device 14. Thereafter, as seen in a substantially similarmanner in FIGS. 1B-1H, the product metering device 14 may be actuatedfor metering the product P through the upstream passage C2 _(P) of thesevered and expanded trailing second container C2 and into theproduct-receiving cavity C2 _(C) of the severed and expanded trailingsecond container C2. The severed, expanded and filled trailing secondcontainer C2 including the amount of product P arranged therein may besealed (by a sealing device, not shown) prior to or after being movedaway from the product metering device 14 in order to provide a clearancefor subsequent arrangement of a severed and expanded first container C1under the product metering device 14.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims. Forexample, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in adifferent order and still achieve desirable results.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a product meteringdevice configured to dispense a product; a first container preparationsystem configured to dispense a first container for receiving theproduct from the product metering device, the first containerpreparation system having a first container expander operable to openthe first container, the first container expander incuding (i) a firsttransporting device operable to transport the first container from thefirst container preparation system to the product metering device, and(ii) a first severing device; a second container preparation systemconfigured to dispense a second container for receiving the product fromthe product metering device, the second container preparation systemhaving a second container expander operable to open the secondcontainer, the second container expander including (i) a secondtransporting device operable to transport the second container from thesecond container preparation system to the product metering device, and(ii) a second severing device; and a controller that simultaneouslycontrols (i) one of the first container preparation system and thesecond container preparation system to prepare one of the firstcontainer and the second container, and (ii) the product metering deviceto dispense the product into the other of the first container and thesecond container.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the firstcontainer expander and the second container expander includes aninflator portion operable between an extended position and a retractedposition.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein in the extended positionthe inflator portion is disposed within a cavity of the container and inthe retracted position the inflator portion is retracted from the cavityof the container.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the firsttransporting device and the second transporting device includes a pairof container material engaging portions operable between a materialengaging position, a partially open position, and an expanded position.5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each pair of container materialengaging portions includes a first container material engaging portionand a second container material engaging portion arranged in opposingrelationship with each other.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein eachof the first container material engaging portion and the secondcontainer material engaging portion is a suction device.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first container preparation systemincludes a first roller member that supports a first roll of containermaterial that forms the first container, wherein the second containerpreparation system includes a second roller member that supports asecond roll of container material that forms the second container.
 8. Anapparatus, comprising: a product metering device configured to dispensea product; a first container preparation system configured to dispense afirst container for receiving the product from the product meteringdevice, the first container preparation system having a firsttransporting device operable to transport the first container from thefirst container preparation system to the product metering device, thefirst transporting device including a first pair of suction devicesarranged in opposing relationship with each other and operable between amaterial engaging position, a partially open position, and an expandedposition; a second container preparation system configured to dispense asecond container for receiving the product from the product meteringdevice, the second container preparation system having a secondtransporting device operable to transport the second container from thesecond container preparation system to the product metering device, thesecond transporting device including a second pair of suction devicesarranged in opposing relationship with each other and operable between amaterial engaging position, a partially open position, a partially openposition, and an expanded position; and a controller that simultaneouslycontrols (i) one of the first container preparation system and thesecond container preparation system to prepare one of the firstcontainer and the second container, and (ii) the product metering deviceto dispense the product into the other of the first container and thesecond container.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the firstcontainer preparation system includes a first severing device and thesecond container preparation system includes a second severing device.10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first container preparationsystem includes a first container expander operable to open the firstcontainer and the second container preparation system includes a secondcontainer expander operable to open the second container.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the first container expander includes thefirst transporting device and the first severing device, and the secondcontainer expander includes the second transporting device and thesecond severing device.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each ofthe first container expander and the second container expander includesan inflator portion operable between an extended position and aretracted position.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein in theextended position the inflator portion is disposed within a cavity ofthe container and in the retracted position the inflator portion isretracted from the cavity of the container.
 14. The apparatus of claim8, wherein the first container preparation system includes a firstroller member that supports a first roll of container material thatforms the first container, wherein the second container preparationsystem includes a second roller member that supports a second roll ofcontainer material that forms the second container.